HAS Student Genie Lorenzo Wins Rachel Carson Scholarship

Congratulations to Genie Lorenzo who has been selected for the 2023-2024 Rachel Carson Scholars program!

Genie is a PHD Atmospheric Sciences student working with Armin Sorooshian, Joint Professor of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. She is studying aerosol particles from aircraft field campaigns, focusing on Southeast Asia. Genie is from Manila, Philippines, where she monitored air quality and weather with the Manila Observatory. There she was able to join partnerships with academic institutions, industry, government, and civil society to help improve air quality and adapt to extreme weather.

Genie was motivated to apply to the Carson Scholars program because of her own personal experience. In her application to the Carson committee, she explained that "Aerosol particles are a top environmental health threat and are associated with the largest uncertainty in climate change predictions. These challenges have motivated me since I started sampling fine particles in the megacity of Metro Manila, where traffic is the major source. I also monitored extreme rainfall around the Philippines. Now, I study particles, collected by aircraft in Southeast Asia, and their effects on clouds and weather, integrating my research background from Manila. Particle interactions with the atmosphere are complex. Thus, we need research collaborations, which help us address the health and climate change challenges related to aerosol particles."

Prior to joining the PHD program in HAS, Genie completed a BS degree in Physics and an MS degree in Electronics Engineering at Ateneo de Manila University. She hopes her work will contribute to understanding the aerosol particle effects on health, clouds, weather, and climate and stimulate appropriate responses to climate change.

Congratulations, Genie!